rebarreling a m305 to another caliber

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jonesie

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Has anyone rebarreled a m305/m14 into a 6.5 creedmoor, 260 remingtion or .243 win.?

My friend just bought one and i was thinking of buying one and making it a varmit rig after doing some need tweaks that i read about and a new aa stock. Just looking to see if its been done or where to even start looking for a barrel? looking for something that would give 1 moa and allow for fast follow up shots and also a added fun factor of a semi.

any ideas
 
Springfield Armory built a few/bunch/number/unknown number to me M1A rifles in .243 over 20 years ago. Needless to say, they are 'collectors' today.

The biggest roadblock is sourcing profiled barrels in calibers that use the .308 boltface diameter of 0.473". We just have to convince an experienced barrel maker to turn out a bunch of 22" and 18.5" barrels (two different profiles, more challenges, therefore, more costs) in calibers such as .243 Win, 7mm-08, .260 Rem, .22-250, .358 Win, and all sorts of others.

Now I did encounter a very mysterious retired gunsmith who showed me some interesting specimens. I cannot reveal what province our encounter happened, nor can I disclose which year or which one of my 62 M1/M14/M1A clinic journeys I was on. :cool:

He showed me a poopload of M305 receivers; which he happens to love dearly, especially for the low price of the receiver after you spend $500 on a rifle. That's the start of my mind stepping into a vertigo like state of consciousness! :eek:

Then he handed me a .22-250 M305, then a .243 M305, and finally, a .260 Rem M305. I have to admit, that I wanted to offer him some money for that .260 Rem right on the spot, but he did not take VISA Avion and my AirMiles card(s). :p

Here comes the process on how to build these very rare hybrids.... by the way, this is not a secret to experts like 45acpking and others gurus lurking here very quietly. :wave:

I'm disclosing this process very vaguely just to satisfy the noooobies here so that they won't go through life thinking it's an easy process, then they will approach their local gunsmith and drive them crazy. Just a reminder, it's a tough process so be kind to your gunsmith, please! :evil:

A barrel blank with the correct dimensions or the shank will be needed. Hopefully the blank is drilled straight (that's a challenge in itself). That's the easy part. The hard part comes next, profiling the exterior of the barrel. For you CNC or modern machinists, tool/die makers take note... once you get the dimensions into the the computer software, now the profiling is straightforward. Disclaimer: I'm a software programmer by trade (11 languages @ Sheridan College) but I'm not a CNC programmer nor am I qualified to operate a CNC mill. But entering and modifying software is/was my area of expertise. For you CNC experts, this part should not be difficult.

Okay, that's all I know (it's not much) and I cannot admit to knowing any more. That's it. The secret of these calibers in already built M305 rifles is just a teaser and I'm leaving it at that. I just want mine in .260.... LOL :)

The drawings for M14 barrels are out there in the Innernet. This ain't rocket science and I'm not too energetic about starting new projects. :cool:

That's all I'm saying... Am I being vague? I hope I am! :wave:

At least all you M14 lovers out there have an idea of the process of making a barrel. It's not easy, but CNC mfg'ing makes it easier than back in the 1960's when the M14 rifles were being cranked out by the 4 makers (HR, SA, Winnie, TRW). :)

Cheers and keep helping the noooobies out there!

Barney
 
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I found a company called Lone Wolf Custom that apperantly does custom barrels in .260/6.5 creedmoor so i am just waiting on a email response to see what the cost is going to be.
 
If you look to the Garand format, Lothar Walther barrels are also around in different calibres... ...I'm slowly putting a 9.3x62 together.
Might try to fit the unfinished camo laminate stock I have for it this weekend.
R
 
Herron Arms was once contemplated to make barrels for M14s other than in 308 but was call off (at least for now) for some reason.

May be they will pick up this project again once they are not too busy or when there is enough interest.
 
Spcamno said:
Herron Arms was once contemplated to make barrels for M14s other than in 308 but was call off (at least for now) for some reason.

May be they will pick up this project again once they are not too busy or when there is enough interest.
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I remember this thread from a year ago or so. I'm still VERY interested in this.

just having some fun said:
barrel in 22-250 /243 would make a great cyote /wolf gun
for where there are caliber restrictions
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.243Win 1:9.25/50 twist would get my vote. I'd be all over that in a heartbeat, with the .260Rem not far behind as a backup.

Oddly enough Barney, justhavingsomefun & I had this exact conversation back in Nov at one of his Mon night clinics. I don't think there's enough JLohr Cabernet around to divulge his source.
 
45ACPKING said:
yup, I've been wanting a .338federal m14 barrel for many years.

still don't have one :(
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Wouldn't that just be a re-boring job..... I only ask as there is one guy I've had dealings with in Leader SK (M&S Stocking) who is able to re-bore rifle barrels......

308-338 would be fairly straight forward no?

Trouble would be finding a barrel that you would want to have that done to..... I don't think a standard profile GI barrel would be a good candidate, but a medium or heavy contour would have enough meat to do the job. And I guess a fella would probably want to start with a shot out match barrel as opposed to a new one......

I don't actually know what I'm talking about, I'm just spit-balling.......
 
I'm thinking 338 shouldn't be a problem with a GI M14 profile barrel as the real constraints are gas cylinder forward. When I was considering my Garand project, the one re-bore guy I contacted was using 35 Whelen (0.358) as his cut-off and didn't want to go a few thous more for 9.3 mm (0.366).
 
M1A rifles originally came in .243, .308 and .358 Win. Had a .243 Super Match in the shop.
Trick to all of this is finding a barrel. Barrels require the U.S. Dept. of State export permit and the manufacturer requires a Commerce Dept. exporter's licence.
Lone Wolf Custom M-14 barrels are made by M-14parts.com. Different guys than the Glock barrel guys. M-14 parts are restricted for export.
 
notsorichguy said:
Wouldn't that just be a re-boring job..... I only ask as there is one guy I've had dealings with in Leader SK (M&S Stocking) who is able to re-bore rifle barrels......

308-338 would be fairly straight forward no?

Trouble would be finding a barrel that you would want to have that done to..... I don't think a standard profile GI barrel would be a good candidate, but a medium or heavy contour would have enough meat to do the job. And I guess a fella would probably want to start with a shot out match barrel as opposed to a new one......

I don't actually know what I'm talking about, I'm just spit-balling.......
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well that's a route I never even thought of trying ...... thx for mentioning, i'll investigate ;)
it was a few years back that I began my .338federal m14 quest after reading about the "border ruffian" in a gun magazine.
it's been done before and I have all the tech data to have it done for myself...... just no one prepared to make me one LOL
 
Well still no reply to y email. Not impressed. Guess my hunt for a non restricted coyote/varmint rig in semi auto is continuing. Seriously considering a model hunter from Alberta tactical.
 
22-243 would be awesome!! 90gr bullets going 3500fps!
I know, handload only, no off the shelf ammo, but who would be shooting off the shelf ammo in 260?
 
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